Wes Brown reacts as Man Utd eye move for Sunderland star Jobe Bellingham | OneFootball

Ex-Manchester United and Sunderland star Wes Brown spoke exclusively to FLW about Jobe Bellingham, who is linked with an Old Trafford switch

Former Sunderland star Wes Brown is not surprised about Manchester United's reported transfer interest in Jobe Bellingham, who has flourished at the Stadium of Light over the last eighteen months.

The talented midfield prodigy moved to Wearside from Birmingham City in the summer of 2023, and has established himself as one of the most exciting young talents in English football ever since.

Often compared to older brother Jude, the younger Bellingham has made his own name with a string of stunning displays for the Championship promotion hopefuls this season after scoring seven goals in a more attacking role during his debut campaign last time out.

Widely regarded among the finest players currently outside of the Premier League, the 19-year-old has earned reported interest from a number of top-flight heavyweights including the Red Devils, while Bundesliga duo Bayer Leverkusen Borussia Dortmund - who signed his older brother from Birmingham, of course, are also said to be in the race for his signature.

With Sunderland in the running for automatic promotion, though, a move could be hard to broker until the end of the campaign. Just a week remains of the January transfer window and Bellingham appears perfectly content in the North East for the time being, but United's interest could still make it difficult for the Black Cats to retain his services as long as they may like.

Wes Brown's verdict on Man Utd's Jobe Bellingham transfer interest

Brown weighed in with his thoughts on a potential transfer saga in the making between two of his former sides. The ex-England international made 76 appearances for Sunderland between 2011 and 2016 after arriving from the Red Devils, where he lifted the Premier League on five occasions along with two UEFA Champions League titles under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson.

When asked whether he sees Bellingham leaving Sunderland either in the current window or in the summer, Brown exclusively told Football League World - speaking on behalf of NewBettingSites.uk: "I don’t know, it’s a tough one.

"It’s still early on in his career, obviously he’s been playing for Sunderland and doing a really good job.

"I think when players are playing well in the Championship, they will have the top clubs looking at them. It’s as simple as that, especially with his age.

"So I just think you’ll have to see how that one pans out. I know United will definitely be looking for players in the summer and he could be in there, would he be top priority? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be looking at the talented young stars of other clubs and we’ll have to wait and see on that one.

"He’s coming in under a lot of pressure. He’s done really well and has stood on his own two feet, he’s been an important player to where they are in the league."

Sunderland could struggle to keep Jobe Bellingham if promotion pursuit fails

While Sunderland will always face the fear of losing Bellingham - such is his talent and potential - that concern will be heightened if their pursuit of an emphatic Premier League return falls short come May. Make no mistake about it, Bellingham is a future top-flight star in the making and that's where he will want to be plying his trade next year.

Given just how well he has performed over the last two seasons in the red and white, he would surely not intend on spending a third season in the Championship, especially with no shortage of suitors higher up the footballing food chain.

If Sunderland are to get promoted, Bellingham would no doubt play a crucial role and that's exactly why they will be so determined to keep hold of him beyond this month.